The Budget estimate for this fiscal is Rs 1,48,686 crore, according to the data released by the controller general of accounts on Friday.

Revenue deficit was more pronounced at Rs 84,483 crore in the first eight months of this financial year, accounting for almost the entire of the Budget target of Rs 84,727 crore.

Against budgetary targets, the Centres fiscal deficit so far in 2006-07 is slightly less compared to 74.7% in the corresponding period last year, while revenue deficit was much larger compared to 91.5% a year ago.

The deficits increased primarily on account of rise in non-plan expenditure.

According to the data, the governments total expendi ture stood at Rs 3,36,539 crore, 59.7% of the Budget estimate of Rs 5,63,991 crore against 57% last year.

The non-plan expenditure stood at Rs 2,45,393 crore.

This is 62.7% of the budget estimate of Rs 3,91,263 crore against 56.8% a year ago.

At the same time, plan expenditure stood at Rs 91,146 crore, 52.8% of the estimate of Rs 1,72,728 crore for the entire year as compared to 57.4% last year.

During the period, the government collected total revenue of Rs 2,21,190 crore. This was 54.8% of the budgeted amount of Rs 4,03,465 crore for the fiscal.